News: "My share in the WSOP Main Event was 20%"

The Russian Team PokerStars Pro talks about the WSOP Main Event, the evolution of the games and his e-sports past.

"The money went straight into my bankroll, no luxury"

Ivan Demidov

PokerStrategy.com: In 2008, you were able to get to the final table of the Main Event, but eventually lost to Peter Eastgate in heads-up. Do you often think about how close you came to the prestigious Main Event title?

Ivan Demidov: There was a time when I thought about it a lot, but not anymore today. It was a very frustrating experience and I was really disappointed at the time. As a professional poker player, I have a very competitive mindset - though one has to admit that the second place was a huge success as well and changed my life.

The first days after the lost heads-up I wasn't able to think clearly, but then I just decided to let it go. It's just not worth it to constantly think about it.

PokerStrategy.com: The second place was sweetened with an impressive $5.8 million. What did you do with that kind of money?

Ivan Demidov: I have to admit that I didn't own a lot of my action. My own share was roughly 20 percent, hence my reward wasn't actually that big. The money went straight into my bankroll, though. I didn't treat myself to any luxury.

PokerStrategy.com: After your second place at the WSOP Main Event you were also able to put up a very good performance at the WSOPE. After that, however, you weren't able to repeat big successes like that. From your point of view, what are the reasons for that?

Ivan Demidov: I think it's a combination of different factors. All the player fields at live events got larger and of course the games themselves got tougher. Furthermore, I'm somewhat lacking motivation since I've already accomplished everything that I wanted.

Nonetheless, I'm convinced that I'm currently playing better than in 2008. I'm working hard on my game by studying a lot of theory. In order to get better I should play more often, though. In the past years, I was able to start a deep run in some tournaments. In the end, I always simply ran out of luck to make it to the very top.

"First online tournaments got tougher and then live events"

"Lack of success is quite
a burden"

PokerStrategy.com: Do you start questioning your own game when suffering a lack of success or do you have enough confidence to ignore extended periods without a tournament victory?

Ivan Demidov: Yes, of course, I have some doubts. I'm the kind of guy who thinks about that a lot and it's actually not that easy to handle. It's quite a burden when I'm not running well.

PokerStrategy.com: You've been an active member of the poker scene for many years. From your point of view, how did the games develop themselves over the years?

Ivan Demidov: When I was able to make it to the second place in 2008 the games were still super soft. They are much tougher now and an evolution is clearly recognisable: First, online tournaments got tougher and then live events followed. Many successful online players started picking up live events; consequently, the level started to rise there as well.

However, it's still possible to make a lot of money as a professional player. Some of my buddies started playing online poker after my success and now they're playing the highest limits and earning millions.

PokerStrategy.com: How much time should you devote to get to a good level?

Ivan Demidov: When I started playing poker, I've played and studied almost 24 hours a day. I got up, went to the gym and then the rest of the day was just revolving around poker. It shouldn't become a duty, though: I've played that much back then because I simply wanted to. I've enjoyed competing with other players at the table and therefore I simply played a lot.

Today, I can't play poker all the time anymore because I have a family. In my view, another important aspect that is important is the mental and physical preparation for tournaments and long cash game sessions. That's particularly decisive when it comes to live poker, where you should be in good shape in order to be able to bring your A game. When you prepare yourself well, you are usually also more confident and that will certainly pay off in tricky spots.

"I'm really annoyed by players who think about spots for ages"

"Shot clocks would be great"

PokerStrategy.com: There has been a change in this year's WSOP Main Event: the winner will be guaranteed $10 million. That money, however, will be taken from the rest of the prize pool. Many players are not happy about that. What do you think?

Ivan Demidov: In my opinion, that's not OK and I also don't like this ruling. However, I understand the reasoning behind it. The organisers want to make sure the series stays attractive.

There hasn't been such a big rush to the tables in the past years; consequently, they are trying to get back some attention by guaranteeing a big sum. However, that's unfair towards most players - only the winner will profit.

PokerStrategy.com: Another discussion topic within the poker community is the introduction of shot clocks. Players should only get a set amount of seconds or minutes for their decisions at live events. What do you think about such a rule?

Ivan Demidov: I would be very happy about it. I'm really annoyed by players who think about spots for ages. Of course, it's not an issue when you take some more time for a certain decision now and then. But some players do that all the time. Even when they are confronted with a very easy and simple spot they think about it for ages and consequently slow down the entire play. You're automatically playing less hands live than online; thus it can be very frustrating when someone slows down the action even more. Shot clocks would make sure that live play becomes more dynamic.

"A comeback of SK.SouL is not planned"

"I was one of the best WC3
players of the world"

PokerStrategy.com: Just like Bertrand 'ElkY' Grospellier you were active in e-sports and used to play Warcraft III professionally as 'SouL' in the German clan SK-Gaming. Do you still follow the e-sports scene today?

Ivan Demidov: Not really. I'm just playing a bit of League of Legends for fun and watch a stream here and there. What I can say though is: e-sports have risen to a new level. It's all very professional now. The tournaments are well organised and I really like the commentating on matches. That's definitely a step in the right direction.

You can't really compare that to the earlier scene: I was one of the best Warcraft players in the world back then but definitely couldn't live off of that. I roughly got $200 or $300 a month. Of course, there were some tournaments with larger prize pools and sponsors, but there were also a lot of empty promises.

PokerStrategy.com: So there won't be a comeback of SK.SouL?

Ivan Demidov: No, that's not planned (laughs). I'm just too old for that. My reflexes aren't as good as they were when I was young. Of course, I don't regret my time in e-sports, it was always a lot of fun. However, I can't imagine playing like back in the days anymore, especially since my studies of mathematics really suffered back then: I was still able to get a degree but when I started playing StarCraft and Warcraft, I wasn't really a diligent student anymore.

PokerStrategy.com: Often people see similarities between poker and e-sports. How distinctive is this connection?

Ivan Demidov: Playing strategy games has helped me a lot with regards to my professional poker career. You also have to adapt to your opponent in Warcraft III and StarCraft. You try to find out about his strategy, and then you try to beat him with that knowledge.

Furthermore, there's also always some sort of competitive pressure in those type of games. Each player is trying to get better and is putting a lot of effort in it. You're trying to improve yourself by daily workouts and when a tournament is due, you're trying to prepare yourself for it - just as in poker.

by tobiasfrey